Venezuela expels U.S. envoy in response to sanctions

President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday ordered the expulsion of the top U.S. diplomat in Venezuela in retaliation for a new round of sanctions over Venezuela’s widely-condemned election. The United States was among a string of countries that did not recognize Sunday’s vote. The 55-year-old successor to Hugo Chavez won re-election easily, but critics said the vote was riddled with irregularities, from the barring of two popular opposition rivals to the offering of a government “prize” to voters. President Donald Trump responded with an executive order limiting Venezuela’s ability to sell state assets, heightening pressure on the cash-strapped government. Accusing U.S. charge d’affaires Todd Robinson of being involved in “a […]